Tom Morello, the renowned guitarist and activist, took to the streets of Boyle Heights on a recent Monday afternoon to raise awareness about the harsh impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on local immigrant families.
Gathering outside Picaresca Barra de Cafe, Morello addressed a crowd of local children and families, stating, “You are witnesses to the crimes being committed against immigrants in L.A.,” as he strummed his guitar and sang alongside them.
The impromptu gathering turned into a music video shoot intended to highlight the fear and uncertainty many families have faced in recent weeks as they navigate the terror of potential deportation.
With a passion rooted in his longtime commitment to leftist social movements, Morello, known for his role in the band Rage Against the Machine, expressed his desire to humanize the plight of those affected by ICE sweeps happening across the city.
“We are in really, really dangerous times,” Morello told The Times, eager to emphasize the urgency of the situation.
In an effort to support the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Morello organized a benefit concert at Echoplex that attracted significant attention and sold out quickly.
Joining him for the event were fellow musicians such as B-Real from Cypress Hill, the Russian activist group Pussy Riot, K.Flay, and the emerging San Diego rap-metal group known as the Neighborhood Kids.
“There has never been a successful social movement in this country that has not had a great soundtrack,” Morello asserted, reinforcing his belief that music plays a crucial role in societal movements.
Many performers shared their own experiences through their music, delivering powerful messages against injustice. Young artists like the Neighborhood Kids vocalized their outraged sentiments through hard-hitting lyrics, shouting, “Get them kids up out them cages!”
Notably, Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova spoke from her past experiences of life under authoritarian regimes in Russia during their performance, shedding light on the global nature of the struggle against oppression.
The event, hosted by comedian George Lopez, utilized humor to rally the crowd, who were united in their frustration with the current political landscape. Lopez’s quips resonated with attendees, who felt empowered to confront the injustices they face.
Morello closed the concert with a set designed to inspire the audience, playing both his original material and covers. He paid tribute to his late bandmate Chris Cornell and invited the audience to join in singing Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.”
Morello encouraged attendees to take action, stating, “This is your time. If you don’t like what you see, write your song, join a union, get in the street, make a sign, do a protest.”
As he wrapped up the concert, Morello energized the crowd with an instrumental version of Rage’s iconic track “Killing in the Name,” encouraging them to recite its defiant lyrics aloud.
“Every generation fights for the right to scream,” he reminded the audience, emphasizing the importance of standing up for freedom of expression and resistance against oppression.
Tom Morello’s ongoing activism and his commitment to raising awareness of immigrant rights in America continue to inspire many, showing that art and music remain vital components of the social justice movement.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-06-17/tom-morello-show-echoplex-defend-la-concert-review
